What is the cheapest way from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to the city?

Metro Line 3 from Airport South (T1) or Airport North (T2) straight to Tiyu Xilu at Tianhe Sports Center, a flat ¥8 (about US$1) in roughly 40–45 minutes, no change needed.

How do I pay for the metro ticket at Baiyun Airport?

At the station machine pay with cash or by scanning an Alipay or WeChat Pay QR for a single-journey token, or enable a transit 'ride code' in Alipay/WeChat and scan straight at the gate.

How do I get to Zhujiang New Town from the airport?

Ride Line 3 from the airport to Tiyu Xilu, then change across the platform to the Panyu-bound branch and go one stop to Zhujiang New Town. Total about ¥8 and 45–50 minutes.

Is there a metro at the new T3 terminal?

Not yet — T3 opened in late 2025 but its metro line isn't running. From T3 take the 空港2线支线 shuttle bus to Gaozeng (高增) station and join Line 3 there.

How much is a taxi from Baiyun Airport and are the touts safe?

An official metered taxi to the centre is about ¥130 and 40–70 minutes. Ignore drivers who approach you inside arrivals offering a 'taxi' or private car — those unlicensed touts skip the meter and overcharge; use the marked taxi rank instead.

What is the best way from CAN to downtown Guangzhou?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: Metro Line 3 straight to Tiyu Xilu in the city centre — a flat ¥8, roughly 40–45 minutes.

How do you get from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to downtown Guangzhou — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) into central Guangzhou is Metro Line 3, which runs directly from beneath the terminals (Airport South at T1, Airport North at T2) to Tiyu Xilu at Tianhe Sports Center for a flat ¥8 (about US$1) in roughly 40–45 minutes. Buy a single-journey token from the station machine with cash or an Alipay/WeChat Pay QR, or just scan a ride code at the gate. Don't follow the drivers touting 'taxis' or private cars in the arrivals hall — those unlicensed touts skip the meter and overcharge; if you'd rather have a faster door-to-door ride, take an official metered taxi from the rank for about ¥130.

How to find it

AIRPORTGuangzhou Baiyun International Airport
01From arrivals, follow the 'Metro / 地铁' signs down to the Line 3 station under the terminal — Airport South (机场南) at Terminal 1 or Airport North (机场北) at Terminal 2 — about a 5–8 minute walk.
02Buy an ¥8 Single Journey Ticket from the machine with cash or an Alipay/WeChat Pay QR, or just scan an Alipay/WeChat 'ride code' at the gate to skip the token entirely.
03Board Line 3 towards the city and ride about 35–40 minutes to Tiyu Xilu (体育西路), right at Tianhe Sports Center — the central stop reached with no change. Trains run roughly every 6–10 minutes from about 06:00 to 23:00.
04For Zhujiang New Town (珠江新城), stay on and change at Tiyu Xilu across the platform to the Panyu-bound Line 3 branch, then ride one stop.
CITY CENTREGuangzhou

Ticket

Single Journey Ticket (single-ride token) on Metro Line 3

Where to buy: Self-service ticket machines in the metro station beneath Airport South (Terminal 1) or Airport North (Terminal 2).

How to pay: Pay the machine with cash (coins or small notes) or by scanning an Alipay or WeChat Pay QR; you get a plastic token you tap on entry and drop in the slot on exit. Or skip the token and scan an Alipay/WeChat 'ride code' straight at the gate.

Local's trick: Trains from the airport run straight to Tiyu Xilu, which sits right at Tianhe Sports Center, so it's a no-change ride into the centre. If you have Alipay or WeChat, skip the token — enable the transit 'ride code' and scan straight at the gate. Note the new T3 terminal (opened late 2025) has no metro of its own yet: from T3 take the 空港2线支线 shuttle bus to Gaozeng (高增) station and join Line 3 there.

Trap to avoid: Ignore the drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall offering a 'taxi' or private car — these unlicensed touts skip the meter and overcharge. Use the marked taxi rank or the metro. A legitimate metered taxi to the centre is about ¥130 and 40–70 minutes in traffic.

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to the city?: Metro Line 3 from Airport South (T1) or Airport North (T2) straight to Tiyu Xilu at Tianhe Sports Center, a flat ¥8 (about US$1) in roughly 40–45 minutes, no change needed.
How do I pay for the metro ticket at Baiyun Airport?: At the station machine pay with cash or by scanning an Alipay or WeChat Pay QR for a single-journey token, or enable a transit 'ride code' in Alipay/WeChat and scan straight at the gate.
How do I get to Zhujiang New Town from the airport?: Ride Line 3 from the airport to Tiyu Xilu, then change across the platform to the Panyu-bound branch and go one stop to Zhujiang New Town. Total about ¥8 and 45–50 minutes.
Is there a metro at the new T3 terminal?: Not yet — T3 opened in late 2025 but its metro line isn't running. From T3 take the 空港2线支线 shuttle bus to Gaozeng (高增) station and join Line 3 there.
How much is a taxi from Baiyun Airport and are the touts safe?: An official metered taxi to the centre is about ¥130 and 40–70 minutes. Ignore drivers who approach you inside arrivals offering a 'taxi' or private car — those unlicensed touts skip the meter and overcharge; use the marked taxi rank instead.
What is the best way from CAN to downtown Guangzhou?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: Metro Line 3 straight to Tiyu Xilu in the city centre — a flat ¥8, roughly 40–45 minutes.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.